The Chief Administrative Officer of the House has released a report of congressional "office expenses" last quarter. It was a mere $300 million in 3 months. While the bulk went to salaries and routine office expenses, some of the line items offer a window into the personalities and priorities of our esteemed Congress.

For example:

• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spent $2,993 in taxpayer money on flowers.
• House Majority Whip James Clyburn spent $265 out of your pocket on Chantilly Donuts.
• House Minority Leader John Boehner racked up $24,617 in catering costs.
  
• House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer spent $1,561 in bottled water.
• Two congressmen spent $69,832.50 Congressional Quarterly magazines and daily publications.
  

The nearly 3,400 digitized pages of line items expenses are available online as part of Pelosi's “accountability to taxpayers and the press.” Thanks for airing your dirty laundry.

The Senate provides less detail, with expenses falling into generic categories such as "purchased equipment" and payments often listed as going to banks or other intermediaries. Senate records for the office of Majority Leader Harry Reid, for example, include a $23,650 item marked "Per Diem Expenses For Staff Retreat Held in Annapolis MD" which was attended by 100 of his staff. Reid has over 100 staff for which we're paying hotel and food for a retreat?

It doesn't seem like the lawmakers know we're in a recession.
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